Strauss earns All-Section honors at championship tournament

James Strauss tees off during the final round of the Section 1 golf championships. JIM MACLEAN PHOTOS

By JIM MACLEAN 

It would take a big rally on the back nine holes, and John Jay junior James Strauss delivered, shooting an even par to finish with a score of 158 over the two-day Section 1 Golf Championship Tournament.

That score would be good enough to earn him All-Section honors, finishing just one stroke off a tie at 157 to compete for the final ninth spot on the Section 1 team competing at the New York State Championships next week.

The day did not start well for Strauss as the top 30 golfers that made the cut for the second day of the tournament teed off at Centennial golf course in Carmel on May 26. Strauss shot a 43 on the front nine, but he turned it around with a strong finish, shooting an even-par 36 on the back nine.

“Front nine, I started off well, but then I got kind of streaky, I thought I was completely out of it, but then I ended up with a solid nine holes on the back to get back into it and unfortunately missed the cut by one,” Strauss said of his day-two performance. “My goal at the beginning of the season was to make sectionals, even when I got here my expectations were low since this is my first time at sectionals, so I’m happy with how I played. I broke 80 both rounds.”

Just making the tournament is a big accomplishment with the top 60 golfers from all of Section 1 earning a chance to compete in the first round last week at Tamarack Country Club on May 18. Then the top 30 advanced to the final round on Tuesday at Centennial, with Strauss and John Jay teammate Wally Ryder making the cut to advance.

Only the top nine would earn a chance to go on to the state championships, and Strauss rallied to put himself in position to make the Section 1 state team, but fell one stroke short with three players tied at 157.

That final score on the back nine is a testament to how far he has come this season, according to John Jay coach Art Blank.

“James had a great two days in the tournament, shot 79 both rounds, and I’m very proud of what he accomplished,” Blank said of Strauss. “He’s a really good golfer, very dedicated to it and he really works at it, I’m not surprised he made All-Section. He’s had a great season and I’m excited to see what he can do next year, he’ll be the leader of our team next year.”

Wally Ryder advanced to the second day of the tournament, but ultimately a couple of holes at Centennial proved to be his nemesis.

Ryder also advanced for the second day of the tournament after shooting an 81 the first day at Tamarack, but the senior struggled with a couple of holes at Centennial and finished with an 88 for a combined score of 169 in his final round of golf for the John Jay team.

“Wally had a great season, he didn’t have the day he wanted today, but he had an outstanding season playing number one for us most of the time,” Blank said of Ryder. “He accomplished so much, and he’s going to play in college next year at Endicott and I’m sure he’ll do great there.”

Blank was excited by what Strauss and Ryder did all season long to help the Wolves turn in a great season as they both qualified for the sectional tournament along with sophomore Asher Barnett. Strauss and Barnett will lead a talented group coming back next year for the Wolves.

“First time playing at sectionals, the first tee shot I was really nervous and it took me a long time to warm up, then I kind of got into the flow,” admitted Strauss. “Asher and I are really excited about coming back next year.”